Topic: New bike & Portland, OR member w/ Q's

[Motoshrink]

Hi CB Four folks!

Just picked up a 77 CB550 Four...beautiful and almost stock/orig.  20k mi.  I am in Portland, OR.  Used to race modern sportbikes, always wanted on of these.  Just put cafe drop bars on it.  It needs the carbs gone thru and a little spit polish, bits of touch up, new speedo cable.  Has a wee oil leak. 

After finding somone to do the carbs I am interested in doing a few basic things with it and would love to get your thoughts and recommendations.  Would like fat sticky tires for it.  Also interested in changing the front fork oil and perhaps springs at some point.  Rear shocks look aftermkt and feel pretty good, front is a wee bit soft and plush.  Would also drop the forks in the triples a little.  Stainless steel brake lines and grabby front brake pads. 

Attached is a picture as purchased, just has black cafe bars added.

Q's if you have some info to share:

Where is a good place to order a speedo cable?
Ditto stiffer fork springs?
Ditto stainless steel brake lines?
What are good F brake pads to use, and dito where to get them?
What weight/level of oil would be recommended for the forks?
What are wide sticky tires that will go on the orig 18" rear 19" front (has Avons now)?  Where to get them as well?
Most importantly are there any inexpensive local people in the Pacific NW/Portland OR area that can go thru the carbs for me?

Thanks, info VERY much appreciated!
-Dave

[nokrome]

hi, welcome,
 were in p-town are you?
  pm forum member paulages to get your carbs rebuilt and im sure he will point you in the right direction as far as all your other questions are concerned
  its really amazing how many forum members are living in the portland area, i just randomly ran into another one yesterday

[Modest_Man]

I'm just a bit south in Woodburn.  I don't know jack though...and I ride a 650c.  

Ignore the Washington bit...I moved.

[bluesmoke69]

Servicehonda.com 

[Motoshrink]

Thanks.  Found Paul and am getting the bike to him for carbs.  I am up in North Pdx and work in Vancouver at SW Wa Med Center.

Going to check out the online honda parts too for the speedo cable.

THESE BIKES ARE COOL!  Inline 4 spools up so sweetly...

[Kevin400F]

Here are a few suggestions: change out the old fork oil for 10wt, maybe 15wt, and experiment a bit with raising the fork oil level before automatically assuming you need stiffer fork springs.  You might be surprised.

Get a set of Ferodo Platinum front brake pads from Vintage Brake in California.

Stainless brake lines are available from various sources...Goodridge, etc.

Unless you rebuild your wheels with wider rims (stock is 1.85"), you are much better off sticking with stock tire sizes.  Sticky 110/90-18 rear and 90/90-19 (or 3.25-19, depending on brand) tires will handle better than oversized rubber.  Even if you lace on some proper width rims (say, 2.5" or 3" rear and a 2.15" or 2.5" front) the widest tire you would likely want to run would be 120 section rear and a 100 front. 

IMHO, of course.......

 

[coldright]

Doc Brown on E Burnside and 18th is someone you need to know... he's one of the best go to guys for our bikes.  And he is a character, to say the least.  Hopefully you've seen the post about Paul's ride and shop party on Saturday.  That will be the place to meet and greet some of us fabulous Portland folks. 

[Motoshrink]

Great thoughts, just what I was hoping to hear.  Thanks.  If anyone knows how much fork oil is supposed to go in stock that would be helpful.

What did we ever do before the internet?  Can't believe how cool these forums are. 

Planning on coming next Sat, hoping the bikes carbs can be done in time for me to ride.  If no, party in the eve sounds good. 

[Modest_Man]

Doc Brown on E Burnside and 18th is someone you need to know... he's one of the best go to guys for our bikes.  And he is a character, to say the least.  Hopefully you've seen the post about Paul's ride and shop party on Saturday.  That will be the place to meet and greet some of us fabulous Portland folks. 

Where is this post?

[MickeyX]

It's in the Portland riders thread and here>>>>  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=75784.msg844128#msg844128 

[paulages]

Great thoughts, just what I was hoping to hear.  Thanks.  If anyone knows how much fork oil is supposed to go in stock that would be helpful.

half a beer bottle if you don't have a measuring cup..  

[Grnrngr]

  its really amazing how many forum members are living in the portland area, i just randomly ran into another one yesterday

Kinda freaky how many Daves live here too...seems every third guy I meet is Dave.  Welcome Dave!! always room for one more...   Next weekend oughta be a fun one...

Dave

[Motoshrink]

Half a beer bottle 'tis.  I am thinking I need spacers or stiffer springs since I am getting "death wobbles"/almost tank slappers now.  Have to grab ahold of the bars and hit the gas to unweight the front.  Rear shocks are aftmkt and stiffer/higher.  With the sag on the front and it being softer/less dampened it is getting low.  Even with that rake and trail!  Surprised, since I was going to lower the front a half inch before!  Not now...

Headed to Paul's.  Paul, that black cafe bike of yours from Bike of the Month looks SWEEEEEET!  Love it.

Tires...who makes the best sticky tires for the stock 18R 19F rims?  Are there some Bridgestones?  I think I have old sponsor dealios on some things if I can dust off my old connections with people from 5 yrs ago.

Looking fwd to Saturday.
-Dave

[nokrome]

your front end problems could also be caused by worn or loose steering stem bearings, worn swing arm bushings will also cause some instability at speed.

 as far as tires go its hard to beat a set of avon road riders for the price, i run them on both of my bikes

[Motoshrink]

Not feeling play in head tube, but it is SOOOOOFT.  I think it doesn't have the right level of oil.  It is going to get changed out with heavier wt and spacers.

Maybe tapered bearing down the road.  Lots to do before that though.
Thanks!!
-Dave

[paulages]

Not feeling play in head tube, but it is SOOOOOFT.  I think it doesn't have the right level of oil.  It is going to get changed out with heavier wt and spacers.

Maybe tapered bearing down the road.  Lots to do before that though.
Thanks!!
-Dave

it looks/ feels like it has no oil in it at all. very nice bike though! it shouldn't take much to make it a nice, reliable ride.

[wingman1946]

Check out the Bridgstone Spitfire tires. Fat round and stick as you specified. I am enjoying 20 wt in the 650 forks. Stock springs.
PS: I am in Albany Or.